According to palace insiders cited in The London Times, Markle’s tendency to hug and engage in frequent cheek-kissing did not sit well with William and even made King Charles III visibly uncomfortable. “This tactile manner made William uncomfortable because Meghan hugged him virtually every time they bumped into each other,” one source claimed.
Staff gossip allegedly suggested Markle’s behavior was flirtatious, though insiders clarified that she “obviously” was not trying to give that impression. The Duchess of Sussex, 43, reportedly felt hurt by the royal family’s distant demeanor, finding their aversion to public affection unusual. “She was understandably hurt, as everyone apparently hugs everyone in California,” author Tom Quinn wrote.
The book also claims Markle once joked about William and Charles’ serious nature, asking, “Why do they sound so serious all the time?” She reportedly teased that Harry, 40, must not share the same parents as William because he was more relaxed and “isn’t pompous at all.”
These tensions are said to have widened the already growing divide between Harry and William. The rift deepened after Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior royals in 2020, with further damage done by the release of Spare, Harry’s 2023 memoir, in which he accused William of physically attacking him and described Kate Middleton, 43, making Meghan cry over a bridesmaid dress dispute.
While the brothers have largely remained estranged, recent family health crises have reportedly led to some communication. In March 2024, sources claimed Harry reached out to William after learning about King Charles’ cancer diagnosis, and the Sussexes also contacted Kate following news of her illness.
